About the Co-Living Lab

Our Solutions Lab is an 18-month research-to-action process focused on unlocking the potential of co-living housing models to help address Canada's growing affordable rental housing needs. The Lab will build a foundational framework for community and private organizations who wish to utilize design, build, and operate co-living units to help build more affordable housing.

Co-living is purpose-designed shared housing that offers private bedrooms with shared common spaces, fostering community while providing a framework to keep rents affordable. While co-living models have experienced rapid growth in Europe, Canadians have not benefitted from a shift toward co-living solutions due to structural limitations such as financing, perceived complexity of management, and an assumed lack of renter demand from developers.

Focused on Senior Renters

Canada's aging population presents a growing housing challenge. With 7.8 million Canadians over 65 (nearly 1 in 5), the demand for affordable, community-oriented rental options for this demographic is increasing. Our Lab has chosen to focus on this priority population to explore how co-living options may support aging-in-place strategies.